What are reduced
nicotine cigarettes?

Reduced nicotine cigarettes are made with proprietary tobacco developed by leading plant scientists using a range of modern breeding techniques. This tobacco contains minimally or non-addictive levels of nicotine. Studies funded by the FDA, U.S. National institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), and others have found that reducing nicotine to minimal or non-addictive levels can lead to: a reduction in the number cigarettes smoked per day, an increased number of smoke-free days, and double the number of quit attempts, all with minimal evidence of withdrawal symptoms.¹

Why focus on nicotine?

While nicotine is not what makes cigarettes toxic, it is a highly addictive chemical compound present in tobacco plants. Addiction to nicotine in combusted products is the main driver of chronic and compulsive use of tobacco products at large, including cigarettes. In announcing its proposal, the FDA stated the goal of its proposed reduced nicotine rule would be "to reduce youth use, addiction and death."

Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death. In the U.S.,

What research
has been done?

Reduced nicotine cigarettes have been the subject of research for over a decade. The U.S. federal government has invested over $100 million for more than 50 independent clinical trials. The research was conducted by or for esteemed public health institutions and universities. For example, Johns Hopkins University, the Mayo Clinic, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and the University of Pittsburgh among others have participated in this research.

A paper published by the FDA in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2018 projected that by year 2100, a nicotine product standard could result in more than 33 million people never becoming regular smokers, a smoking rate of only 1.4%, and more than 8 million fewer people dying from tobacco-related illnesses. An introduction of this regulation would be a paradigm shift for the public health of the United States.

According to the CDC,
smoking costs the U.S. economy

$1,000,000,000

every three years in direct medical care for adults and lost productivity due to premature death and exposure to secondhand smoke.

Reduced nicotine cigarette smokers doubled their quit attempts compared to smokers of conventional cigarettes.

Reduced nicotine cigarettes were associated with greater relief of withdrawal symptoms than the nicotine lozenge.

Smoking reduced nicotine cigarettes decreased daily consumption and decreased exposure to nicotine and toxicants.

After six weeks, self-reported dependence and daily nicotine intake were lower for reduced nicotine cigarette smokers.

Reduced nicotine cigarettes plus nicotine replacement therapy offers promise as a new smoking cessation treatment.

No evidence of compensatory smoking with reduced nicotine cigarettes in vulnerable populations.

Significant Clinical Trials

The Effects of Immediate vs Gradual Reduction in Nicotine Content of Cigarettes on Smoking Behavior: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study

"The significantly lower cravings were observed in the immediate vs. gradual nicotine reduction group, and led to faster reduction in the number of CPD, and a significant increase in the number of cigarette-free days. These findings add to the evidence base for reduced nicotine content in cigarettes."

Effects of Immediate vs Gradual Reduction in Nicotine Content of Cigarettes on Biomarkers of Smoke Exposure

"Among smokers, immediate reduction of nicotine in cigarettes led to significantly greater decreases in biomarkers of smoke exposure across time compared with gradual reduction or a control group, with no significant differences between gradual reduction and control."

Randomized Trial of Reduced-Nicotine Standards for Cigarettes

"Cigarettes with lower nicotine content, as compared with control cigarettes, reduced exposure to and dependence on nicotine, as well as cravings during abstinence from smoking, without significantly increasing the expired carbon monoxide level or total puff volume, suggesting minimal compensation."

Potential Public Health Effects of Reducing Nicotine Levels in Cigarettes in the United States

"Our model indicates that enacting a regulation to lower the nicotine content of cigarettes to minimally addictive levels in the United States would lead to a substantial reduction in tobacco-related mortality, despite uncertainty about the precise magnitude of the effects on smoking behaviors."

Do the studies consider minorities and vulnerable groups?

Yes! A number of studies have specifically investigated reduced nicotine content cigarettes in minority communities and vulnerable groups. For example, a study by the University of Vermont Center on Tobacco Regulatory Science, led by Higgins et al, explored whether reduced nicotine cigarettes affected especially vulnerable populations. Study participants included economically disadvantaged women of reproductive age, opioid-dependent individuals, and individuals with affective disorders. The results showed that reduced nicotine cigarettes did not show evidence of compensatory smoking. In fact, study participants that smoked reduced nicotine cigarettes showed significant reductions in nicotine withdrawal and cravings.

Are Reduced Nicotine Cigarettes Available in the U.S.?

Yes, the FDA authorized the marketing of tobacco products that help reduce exposure to and consumption of nicotine for smokers as modified risk tobacco products (MRTPs) in December 2021.

Learn More

In 2018, about 55% of adult smokers had made a quit attempt in the past year, but only about 8% were successful in quitting for 6-12 months. (Creamer, 2018)

Saving Lives:
One less cigarette at a time

"As a primary care physician, I’ve lost patients because they were unable to quit smoking. We can’t ignore new products that could help people smoke less. If the FDA says this reduced nicotine cigarette will help people smoke less, then as doctors it’s something we need to consider for patients."

—Dr. Tariq Butt, President
Chicago Medical Society
Crain’s Chicago Business, April 12, 2022

"The most harmful effect of nicotine is sustaining addiction to cigarettes. If you need to take nicotine, you don’t need to take it in a way that will kill you."

—Dr. Neal Benowitz, Nicotine Researcher
University of California, San Francisco
Wall Street Journal, June 21, 2022

"Nicotine is powerfully addictive. Making cigarettes and other combusted tobacco products minimally addictive or non-addictive would help save lives."

—Robert M. Califf, Commissioner
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Crain’s Chicago Business, June 24, 2022

"Having options like these products authorized today, which contain less nicotine and are reasonably likely to reduce nicotine dependence, may help adult smokers. If adult smokers were less addicted to combusted cigarettes, they would likely smoke less and may be exposed to fewer harmful chemicals that cause tobacco-related disease and death."

—Mitch Zeller, former Director
FDA Center for Tobacco Products
Chicago Tribune, April 13, 2022

"The bottom line is we’ve known for decades that nicotine is what makes cigarettes so addictive, so if you reduce the nicotine, you make the experience of smoking less satisfying, and you increase the likelihood that people will try to quit."

—Dr. Dorothy K. Hatsukami, Nicotine Researcher
University of Minnesota
New York Times, June 21, 2022

What are reduced nicotine cigarettes?